Tigers' Jeremy Bonderman to pitch for Whitecaps on Saturday against Great Lakes Loons

COMSTOCK PARK -- Jeremy Bonderman's journey of returning to the Detroit Tigers' starting starting rotation will begin in West Michigan on Saturday night.

The right-handed pitcher will begin a rehabilitation assignment with the West Michigan Whitecaps, who will take on the Great Lakes Loons at Fifth Third Ballpark.

First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Bonderman was limited to 12 starts in 2008 after a blood clot was discovered in a vein near his right armpit. He had surgery to repair thoracic outlet compression syndrome on June 30 and was in spring training ready to pitch this season. But Bonderman developed shoulder soreness in late February.

WHITECAPS vs. LOONS

First pitch: 7 p.m.; gates will open at 4 p.m.

Tickets: $5 through $13. They can be purchased the Whitecaps' box office, which will open at 8 a.m. Thursday, by calling (616) 784-4131 or through the West Michigan's web site at whitecaps-baseball.com.

Special events: Farm Bureau Insurance fireworks after the game; Armed Forces Night. All active, reserve and retired military personnel or veterans and their immediate families can purchase reserve seats for $7 (normally $ 9.50) when they show a valid military ID or veterans card.

Radio: WBBL-AM (1340), WHTC-AM (1450), WODJ-AM (1490), WDEE-FM (97.3)

"Of course we're excited as an organization, not only for Whitecaps fans, but Tigers fans and baseball fans alike," said Whitecaps CEO and managing partner Lew Chamberlin. "We like to think the Tigers sent him here because they know he will be treated well, we have a great facility and he would be received well by the fans and the community here.

"The Tigers feel confident sending guys here because they know there will be a good outcome."

Last season, the Tigers sent outfielders Magglio Ordonez and Curtis Granderson to West Michigan for rehabilitation assignments and both attracted large crowds, 10,592 on July 14 for Ordonez and 10,056 on April 18 for Granderson.

The Whitecaps already had sold 4,818 tickets for Saturday's game before the Bonderman announcement.